Professor Paul Struik

Wageningen University & Research

Paul Struik is emeritus professor of crop physiology at Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands. He serves as editor-in-chief of Potato Research. His expertise includes agrobiodiversity, seed systems, agronomy of potato, physiology of tuber formation, and modelling of photosynthesis at different levels of biological organization.

Jean-Eric Chauvin

INRAE

Jean-Eric Chauvin is a French research engineer at INRAE, based in Brittany, France. He is specialized in plant genetics, crop improvement, and the conservation of plant genetic resources, with a particular focus on potatoes. As head of the RGCO experimental unit in Ploudaniel, he contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural systems adapted to oceanic climates. His work combines varietal selection, disease resistance, and agroecological innovation to reduce pesticide use and improve crop resilience. Jean-Eric Chauvin has also participated in collaborative European research projects dedicated to biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

Kurt Demeulemeester

Kürt Demeulemeester is a Belgian agricultural researcher and team leader specializing in arable farming systems. He holds a degree in bioscience engineering with a focus on crop production and agronomy. At Inagro, he coordinates applied research and innovation projects on crops such as potatoes, cereals, and protein crops, integrating sustainability and practical crop management. He has contributed to technical reports, scientific publications, and sector-oriented articles with a strong impact on advisory practices. His work supports farmers and policymakers by translating research into applicable strategies, and he actively contributes to European collaborations and platforms such as the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR).

Professor Dr Benjamin Stich

Julius Kühn Institute

Benjamin Stich leads the Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops of the Julius Kuehn Institute, the Federal Research Center on Cultvated Crops in Germany.

Pia Heltoft Thomsen

Nibio

Pia Heltoft is a researcher from NIBIO in Norway.

Dr Karima Bouchek Mechiche

Inov3pt

Karima Bouchek Mechiche is a research scientist at inov3PT (agricultural research and technical institute for seed potato) and based at INRAE-IGEPP in Le Rheu (France). She is specialized in soil-borne plant pathogens responsible for potato tuber blemishes and storage diseases. Her research focuses on pathogen diagnosis and detection, disease epidemiology, and the development and evaluation of integrated disease management strategies. She leads and coordinates research projects in these areas. She organized the 2023 EAPR Pathology and Pests Section Conference in France and has been serving as Chair of the EAPR Pathology and Pests Section since July 2024.

Guus Heselmans

Meijer Potato

Guus Heselmans (1965) is Research Director at Meijer Potato in Rilland, the Netherlands. He leads research and breeding innovation within the company’s R&D programs, with a focus on applied potato breeding. He develops breeding strategies and manages multidisciplinary teams, translating research insights into practical breeding objectives. His work bridges fundamental science and commercial breeding, contributing to the development of improved varieties for global markets.He also serves as a board member of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), where he contributes to strategic direction. In addition, he is part of the core team preparing the EAPR 2030 triennial conference in Rotterdam.